The cross is coming. It takes the sorrow of the cross to experience the joy of the resurrection. For the next forty days, it’s our privilege to grow closer to Christ on the cross. To wake up each morning, asking ourselves where He is, where the cross is. On Good Friday we should be the ones at the foot of the Cross. How can we get there though, if we do not have the strength? The strength of those who stood at the foot of the cross was only a result of their immense love for Jesus Christ. In these next forty days, fall more in love with Him. Love him enough to follow Him to the cross. Love Him enough to follow Him to the resurrection.

I hope that you didn’t do what I did and waited until the last minute to figure out what your lenten fast will be. If so, that’s okay! I am starting a little late. We can be late together! After all, Christ is still waiting for us. Let’s not keep Him waiting any longer.

  In my personal opinion, Egyptian culture is the best culture in which modern fashion has derived. Because of the heated climate, most Egyptian clothing was made with light linen cloths. Jewelery for the Egyptians was essential and was worn from head to toe, including up and down the arm. Jewelery is definetly one of the things I love about being a girl! I love big earrings. Egyptians wore lots of those, but it is said that the Indians were the first to wear earrings that dangled.  

 (left) Vanessa Hudgens is wearing an outfit that kind of screams Egyptian. I love it! The dress, shoes, and jewelry are all put together perfectly.

Hilary Duff is wearing an Egyptian searab necklace. I even kind of see an Egyptian look in her eye make up.  

Indian clothing consist of no hard work. A typical dress for an Indian woman was made with simply pieces of cloth. It was the vivid colors and interesting designs that brought interest to the world of modern fashion. Indian culture also brought about the dangles. Bring on the dangles!

left: typical Indian women attire. 

upper left: modern shirt with an Indian influence.

 Upper right: Dangles! Yes!

African culture is famous for lively colors and vibrant print. African culture has added a dose of “funky” to modern fashion. For example, why is animal print so popular?  

Now I think it’s only right to mention Native American clothing. Because second to Egyptian, it’s my favorite! I love the loose blouses and feather everything! I have earrings and necklaces with feathers on them. It’s really fun. And what about those boots? They should be mine! And please don’t get me started on the amazingness of that purse.

                                        -St. Augustine

How often do we not cherish and appreciate each individual person? How beautiful it is to know that each person we meet carries their own unique aspect of our Divine Creator. How beautiful it is to know that God has given each and everyone of us the gift of life. How beautiful is each life. How beautiful it is to be alive. How beautiful it is to love and be loved. How beautiful it is to give thanks. How beautiful it is to share in likeness with one another, yet to delight in our differences. How beautiful it is to speak with others. How beautiful it is to meet a new person. How beautiful is a person!

Dancers are very practical in their attire. And when they invented a clothing item that would help them warm up, they were starting a fashion trend whether they knew it or not. Fashionistas saw the potential of  legwarmers and by the mid ’80’s, they were being worn everywhere and by everyone. Today they are still considered fashionable and look great with skirts, dresses, and over jeans. Go ahead. Take the fashion risk.

But when we really think about it, we see what great part God has given us. He’s given us the position of the praying. It’s a very important position. We must live up to it and pray frequently for those in Haiti, and all other souls who need healing in any way.

“Pray with great confidence, with confidence based on the goodness and infinite generosity of God and upon the promise of Jesus Christ.” – St. Louis de Montfort

I thought this interview with a missionary from Haiti was really interesting.

We’ve all been asked this question. It’s a fun one. But one that rarely ever has a definite answer. Until you actually are grown up, there’s a lot of discernment going on. Should I be the princess or the pauper? (oh and by the way, I’m being creative here and changing the prince and the pauper to the princess and the pauper! So pretty much, the pauper gets the prince.) These are totally important questions! Questions that concern who we want to be one day, who we want to become.

So who will I choose? The princess or the pauper? Here’s my answer: neither. So then what do I want to be when I grow up? Here’s my answer: My Mom.

Actually just a few minutes ago I was reading blogs from a blogspot made for moms. And a lot of mothers were writing about how they are running their homes just like their mothers had. And quite a few wrote that they are trying to prevent it but just can’t, like it’s all natural. Well I’m glad to hear that imitation of one’s mother comes naturally! That will make my job a whole lot easier. Because there is nothing I want more then to be my loving, giving, and fun mother.

When I was about thirteen, I was mom junior. I went with her everywhere. I remember the time when she was pregnant with my youngest sister, Megan. Could there possibly be anything in life that is more fun then baby girl clothes shopping with my Mom?

Times are too busy. My Mom goes to Costco about once a week. Today was the first time in months I wasn’t too busy to go along with her. That’s why I’m here now, writing about my Mom. Getting to spend time with her renewed my admiration for my mother’s love, for a mother’s love in general. Mothers give and give and give. We children are so blessed and lucky to get to receive what they give. What they give isn’t just something simple. It’s a profound love of protection, comfort, and peace.

Now I don’t know why God has done this but He’s blessed me with one of the best moms ever. She teaches me so much about everything from faith, love, and even style. My sisters and I have been so gifted with the perfect mother-daughter relationship. So we must never argue with her, huh? No we totally do! But we always get through it and once again look up to the women that our mother is. And then hope and pray that our transformation from girlhood to womanhood is twins with hers.

Now please don’t get me started on the love between a mother and son. There’s something very unique and significant about this relationship. It will have to wait for another entry.

Our neighbors, Barry and Webb.

The first time I watched this commercial I was with John, my ten year old brother. Now John thought this was hilarious. So do you know what he did? He got me one for Christmas! It was so funny. So far I’ve quite enjoyed my backwards robe.

John is the comedian of the family. Can’t you tell by this recent shot of him?

Along with the snuggie, I got some great presents. How was your Christmas? Over all, mine was lovely. God has given me so many gifts, and I was overwhelmed by the love He has shown us all by coming to the world as an infant. What better way to thank Him then to make the resoulotion to grow in friendship with Him in the year 2010?

Aren’t New Year resolutions kind of scary? They’re scary because well…change is always scary. But what we need to see is that changing our lives so that we can better love God is actually not scary at all. It’s what we were made to do. We are called to love. What about your New Year Resolutions serves this purpose?

On a side note, a few of my friends have recently gotten bangs. I’ve been amazed at how different they look! Bangs really add a lot. Are bangs a change for the better? That really depends on your face shape. Ask your stylist. Changing your hairstyle can be a fun and refreshing way to start the new year!

I think Hilary Duff looks better with bangs. Would you agree?

Confession: I have a great/semi-silly way to prepare for Christmas. Be Cinderella! Why do you think she left a shoe behind? The prince kind of needed a way to find her. The shoe was pretty helpful =). When the prince finds Cinderella, he frees her from her miserable state. He grants her a new life. He brings her happiness. So instead of your shoe, leave your heart behind for Christ this advent. Allow Him to make it new. Allow him to bring the happiness that you know you yearn for. Allow Him to make your Christmas end with happily ever after. But it starts now. It starts with advent. Once upon a time…

It’s happened. There’s snow on the ground. The snow took me by surprise, but a good kind of surprise. There’s nothing more enchanting then waking up to our countryside blanketed in snow. My brothers were out playing all day. And they managed to pile up a enough snow to make well…a rather unique snowman.

    Yes, I do believe they used grape tomatoes for the eyes.

For me, when I see snow, I don’t think about trying to build the best Jack Frost. Rather I like to use snow as an attribution in creating a cozy atmosphere. So there’s really only three things I need to create the perfect snow day:

1)  a reading chair

2) a book

3) a cup of tea

 “You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” -C. S. Lewis

So Christmas break really is the time for a good book. Right now I’m immersing myself once again into the Christian classic, Hinds Feet on High Places. If your not familiar with this story, it’s an allegory. It tales the tale of a young girl, Much-Afraid, who makes the brave decision to travel to the High Places, and leave her Valley of Humiliation. Throughout her journey, Much- Afraid is led by the Great Shepherd, who transforms Much-Afraid from her weak and feeble state to a brave and beautiful being. I like to read this book in preparation for Christmas because it has a theme of transformation. And when Christ is born on Christmas Day, the world is gifted with a transforming love. We just have to be like Much-Afraid and allow Christ to transform us. “He comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; Then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing.” (Isaiah 35:4-6)

On a side note, I’ve fallen in love with the Pride and Prejudice soundtrack. It’s soothing and romantic and everything else music can be =). I recommend it for you.

And in that reign there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were all filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”. (Luke 2:8-11)

And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child. (Luke 2:16-17)

After reading the first passage, I came up with an assertive conclusion: you and me, we are the modern day shepherds. We are the ones that have been invited to witness the birth of Jesus Christ. But our invitation is not like Mary’s, nor Joseph’s, or even the Wise Men’s. Our invitation to meet Jesus  is like that of the shepherds, who probably thought themselves too unworthy to be so close to the Savior of the World. But still they were called. And so am I. And so are you. So this advent season, listen to the calling of the angel. Find Christ. Be the Shepherd.

After reading the second passage, I know now what we aught to do. We read that the Shepherds made known the joy of the birth of Christ. So this Christmas, let’s make known this same joy to the people in our lives. Spread the joy. Be the Shepherd.